As mentioned in Lesson 10.B.3.(d). there is a class of word having a double initial consonant with an inherent “a” between the two consonants which does not follow the normal tone rules previously given.

When the first consonant is high or middle class and the second is one of the low class consonants ง, ญ, ณ, น, ม, ย, ร, ล, ว or ฬ and the two consonants are pronounced with an inherent “a” between them the tone of the second syllable is usually governed by the class of the first of the two consonants.

1. Initial High Class.

   	ขยัน	KAYUN	Diligent	Low-Rising
   	ฉลาด	CHALAHT	Clever	Low-Low
   	สนุก	SANOOK	Contented	Low-Low
   	สว่าน	SAWAHN	A drill	Low-Low
   	สล้าง	SALAHNG	Lofty	Low-Dropped
   	ถนน	TANON	Road	Low-Rising

2. Initial Middle Class.

   	จมูก	JAMOOK	Nose	Low-Low
   	ตลาด	DTALAHT	Market	Low-Low
   	อร่อย	AROY	Delicious	Low-Low
   	ขยุ้ม	KA-YOOM	To grasp	Low-Dropped

   Although the above rule can be said to apply generally, there are a few exceptions, mostly fairly uncommon words, so that in all words of this type familiarity with the word is the only sure way of determining the tone of the second syllable.

3. Exceptions. Initial High Class.

   	ไปรษณีย์	PRYSANEE	Post Office	Common-Low-Common
   	สนุต	SANOOT	To drip	Low-High
   	สภาพ	SAPAHP	Behaviour	Low-Dropped
   	หนุ	HANOO	The chin	Low-High

4. Exceptions. Initial Middle Class.

   	อนุญาต	ANOOYAHT	Permission	Low-High-Dropped
   	ดนุ	DANOO	Slender	Low-High
   	กนิษฐ	GANIT	Small	Low-High
   	จรูส	JAROOT	Tall	Low-Dropped

Generated by Lyndon Hill on Thu Jul 20 18:40:33 BST 2006.

Copyright remains with the original authors.